House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for SB72 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Reporting and investigating abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 16, 2017
Jason gave a brief on the bill saying that it addresses reporting and investigating abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Proponents:
Kathy Armstrong gave testimony (Attachment 1) in support of SB 72 saying it essentially amends certain statutes as it pertains to abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable adults. She said that these statutes have not been modified for a number of years, and much of this bill clears up and updates language. Ms. Armstrong continued by explaining some of the updates that would take place with this bill. She explained that this bill adds firefighters and emergency medical services personnel to the list of mandatory reporters, and the term vulnerable, explaining what the term means. She concluded by talking about statistical data about reports of abuse and thanked the Committee.
Jason White shared his support (Attachment 2) of the bill saying that the committee should support it for two reasons; 1, they see more about a families life as first responders and; 2, people already think that they are mandatory reporters.
Seeing no questions, Chairman Wilborn opened the hearing up for the opponents.
Opponents:
Mitzi McFatrich shared her opposition (Attachment 3) for SB 72 saying that her written testimony has clearly identified her issues with this bill. She shared opposition to the term vulnerable and she went on to explain why she was opposed to the added language proposed by the bill. Ms. McFatrich concluded by listing the other language that she is opposed to, saying it is actually unclear language.
Mike Burgess shared his opposition (Attachment 4) to the bill by saying that he would echo the comments of the previous conferee, however, requested that he wanted an amendment to exempt everyone from Disability Rights Center of Kansas, who are subject to rules of confidentiality. He then explained that the term "vulnerable" is not received well and actually weakens what they would like to do.
Neutral:
Rachel Monger shared her neutrality (Attachment 5) saying that support could be offered if the amendment proposed within her testimony would be accepted.
Chairman Wilborn asked for the conferees to iron out issues of this bill that had been mentioned. The Committee requested that the issue about how reports would be handled, and to whom, in addition to addressing issues that could arise about who home health workers.
Chairman Wilborn closed the hearing.
